Trainer Mark Jones was pleased with the game fourth by Master Lavros in the Calvglass Imports Limted FFA Trot at Kaikoura on Monday, November 4, and he remains on song for the $200,000 Hellers Dominion Trot on Show Day. Friday, November 15.
“I thought I might have got the lead (from Stent) but he went well. He kept going,” Mark said.
Stent refused to hand the front to Master Lavros when challenged after the opening 400m, but both favourites had to settle for the minors, with Rowe Cup placegetter Boizel charging home from three back on the markers to take the victory.
Boizel, a 7YO Dream Vacation gelding in the Tony Grayling stable, won going away by 3/4 of a length from Stent in a smart 3:01 for the stand start 2400m.
Cyclone U Bolt fought solidly from the trail for third, with Master Lavros next, finishing just over four lengths from the winner.
“I could have put him in the Trotting Free-For-All on Tuesday, but I decided to stick to my plan all along and just keep him to the stand start,” Mark said.
Master Lavros, back in the draw for the the Kaikoura trot, continued to step well.
Master Lavros and Mark Jones have the $25,000 Dr Cliff Irvine Memorial Canterbury Park Trotting Cup all sewn up.
Preceeding Kaikoura, the big Sundon gelding his biggest win to date for owner Kypros Kotzikas in the Group Three $25,000 Dr Cliff Irvine Memorial Canterbury Park Trotting Cup at Addington on October 11.Master Lavros cruised clear in the run home to beat trailer Burano by four lengths, with outsider King Of Strathfield running on late to grab third ahead of The Fiery Ginga and Stig.
He racked up his 10th win from 18 starts in the Canterbury Park Trotting Cup.
The win held special significance for Mark as the late Dr Cliff and his family have had a good association with the Jones family.
Mark’s father Peter reined Dr Cliff’s former top mare Tussle to many of her 38 wins for $562,175 in earnings, including the 1985 Rowe Cup, 1986 Dominion Handicap and 1987 Interdominion Trotting Grand Final.
Peter also reined her to two Canterbury Park Trotting Cup victories.
Mark has continued to sport the late Dr Cliff’s racing colours as the driver this term of Mamselle, a grand-daughter of Tussle, trained for the Irvine family by Peter and Leonie Jones.
Mark reined Mamselle to win the feature fillies and mare trot at Methven on October 6, and again to win the 3-5 win trot at Ashburton on October 28 in a solid 4:11.3 for the 3200m.